Greeks and Goldens

makinchips · #1 04-15-2008, 09:06 AM

I'm new to the site so I thought I'd post a couple of recent jobs.
This one is in eastern white pine...all hand tools and no sanding. The image is an 8"x10" oval aprox 3/4" deep. It is stained with oil stains.

These Greeks are in basswood about 5 1/2" sq. and 1/2" thick. They were eventually gilded.

Hope you like em.

Thanks,

Joe

doris · #2 04-15-2008, 09:09 AM

lovely golden retrievers, and wonderful carving of the greeks. amazing that little size. what are they meant for ?...oh, welcome to wci, btw :-)

Lynn O. Doughty · #3 04-15-2008, 09:49 AM

Really nice work.

Irish · #4 04-15-2008, 10:17 AM

Joe, beautiful work on the golden retrievers. The spot in their mussel line to the forehead, the angle of the ears and the rolled skin over the collar makes them clearly goldens without any color work! That is a wonderful example of how a carving, when done in proportion and dimension to the subject, does not need color to define the subject.

Very nice work on the gods and goddesses!

Lora S. Irish (Susan)

makinchips · #5 04-15-2008, 12:20 PM

Thanks Lynn and Doris....I checked out your sites...really good looking work. Now I'm glad I went with the relief work....competition with you folks would be a killer!

Doris, the greeks went on this mahogany sign...

Laura, or is it Susan (which do you prefer?), thank you for your comentary....I'm flattered and my oh my, you have been busy making patterns. I can't remember when I last used someone's pattern but if I have the need, I'll be sure to check with you.

Joe

Alice in Wonderland · #6 04-15-2008, 05:57 PM

Joe just beautiful work,I love the Dogs and the smallness of your carving wow
Alice

K Karver · #7 04-16-2008, 07:56 PM

Welcome to the forum, Joe. Really nice work. You need not fear the crowd with the quality of your work. Or even with your worst pieces. We are sharing something we love to do. Your detail is great. Well controlled lines.

John K Karver

squbrigg · #8 04-17-2008, 08:14 AM

Beautiful work on both pieces. The classic Greek figures really jump out, great detail. Well done.

Bob

Ashbys · #9 04-18-2008, 10:21 AM

Joe ,

Nice work . Well done , been doing this for a while ?

Ash

makinchips · #10 04-18-2008, 12:34 PM

Thanks everyone for the very nice comments

Ash, I started when I was about 9, when I was in Scouts. At 14 I was teaching carving at camp and started to sell my little kerchief slides, pins and bolo ties. I got a BS and an MS in Technology Ed. (BC) My major was wood technology with minors in metals and graphics. Taught woodworking and carpentry for 9 years while also working in a pattern and model shop (talk about accurate woodworking....sometimes we had to mic the work). This was when I first started relief carving....the great Seal in this thread was my first real relief...
New here....old carver

Here's one I did in 1979.....it's about 14"x17"

I had to quit teaching to support my wife and two kids (I was actually eligble for food stamps). That was in '79.
I did Art and Craft shows in the NE from MA to MD selling my relief carvings and opened my Gallery here in our new/old (Built 1776) house in the country. I picked up a lot of collectors and now I only do about 4 or 5 shows a year.

Since '95 I've been teaching relief carving in the sign industry and have been published several times.

Basically, that's it (I know it's a LOT more than you asked for lol). I had to spill it somewhere so there it is. This is my first ime I'm trying a carvers forum and I appreciate the kind comments and warm welcome.

Thanks for having me,

Joe